Music to Heal the Soul

“Music to heal the soul”

Ustad Shafaat Khan- Sitar/Vocal and tabla
www.musicalbeats.net

Praneetha Akula – Dance Performer.

Rishy Mehrotra – Tabla accompaniment

Ustad Shafaat Khan, world renowned Indian Classical musician debuted at the Kings Lynn Festival opened by the Queen of England.

He has marked his respect as an unparalleled musician who has attained a high level of excellence in performing on Sitar, Surbahar, Vocal, and Tabla in single concerts and recordings. He is son of Ustad Imrat Khan and nephew of Ustad Vilayat Khan, has performed worldwide at many prestigious concert halls, music festivals and universities all over India, America, Europe, China, Russia and Japan. Recently, he performed with Stevie Wonder at one of the biggest festivals in the USA, The Bonnaroo Festival. In the past, he shared a television concert with Ray Charles in Germany. In addition, He bought our historical CDsin which Played the Sitar and accompanied himself on Tabla including the peace on Surbahar

His performance is an energetic, exciting and educational way for audiences to engage themselves and tap into other cultures.

Maestro Khan also educates the audience about the history of our music, Raags, Taal, instruments and techniques. He performs pieces that highlight Classical music and other light forms of music such as Qawwali, Ghazal, Thumri and Bollywood.

Praneetha Akula is a Bharatanatyam performer, choreographer, and educator with over a decade of experience in the DMV area. Trained from age three by her mother, Selvalakshmi Setty, and later by renowned gurus, she has performed at major venues including the Kennedy Center, DC Fringe Festival, and Lincoln Center.

A former principal dancer with the Tehreema Mitha Dance Company, Praneetha blends classical and contemporary styles. She has also spent over 11 years integrating dance into education through school programs and arts residencies across Maryland.She believes in dance as a powerful tool for artistic and personal growth.

Rishy Mehrotra is a long-time a Tabla disciple of Ustad Shafaat Khan, whose Tabla repertoire traces back to the royal courts of Rampur and the Farrukhabad Gharana, with influence from several other Tabla Gharanas, or styles, of India. Rishy has shared the stage with Ustad Shafaat Khan on many occassions and has provided Tabla accompaniment for various other musicians of South Asia.

Layout of Concert Perfromance:

The concert then unfolds with a very colorful folk dance performance by Praneetha Akula accompanied by music, highlighting the expressive and vibrant aesthetics of Indian dance.

This is followed by a captivating musical segment featuring sitar, vocal, and percussion, culminating in a brilliant performance by Maestro Ustad Shafaat Khan. His artistry and improvisational mastery create an enthralling experience that deeply resonates with audiences.

In addition to the concert performance, designed for students and community audiences. This session can include:

• Introduction to Indian classical and folk music traditions
• Demonstration of rhythm (tala) and melody (raga)
• Interactive participation with artists

This dual offering of performance and education makes the program especially well suited for concert series, universities, cultural institutions, and community engagement initiatives.